Michael Morris, along with Sumner Putnam and Matt Deutsch—formerly with Newmark—have joined Cresa to launch a Data Center Capital Markets and Advisory platform.
The platform will provide advisory, planning, transaction structuring, tenant and landlord representation, as well as capital markets solutions for major data center projects. Morris is an industry leader in data center real estate acquisition, having completed over 1,000 transactions in more than 50 markets globally. Known as one of the go-to experts in the field, he will lead the service line and will be based in Cresa’s New York City office, with support from across the country.
Morris, President, is an industry veteran and visionary who founded Newmark’s data center practice nearly 20 years ago. Over the years, the former Vice Chairman has led a wide range of mission-critical projects for various clients across the U.S., including Digital Realty Trust, Verizon, CyrusOne, Memorial Sloan Kettering, CoreSite, New York University, Landmark Dividend, and Chevron, and has worked with every major hyperscaler. He holds multiple data center design designations, including being named a Certified Power Quality Professional (CPQ) and a Data Center Dynamics Cooling Professional. He holds an MBA in finance from Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business.
Sumner Putnam, Managing Principal, was a key member of Newmark’s data center practice group and is a recognized leader in this niche sector. Previously at JLL, his expertise spans lease negotiations, site selection, and colocation agreements. Notable clients include CyrusOne, New York Life, HSBC, Bank of America, Tumi, NYU, Fidessa, Mapletree, and Kingstreet.
In addition, the team also includes Cresa Senior Analyst Mackensey Gawne, as well as Cresa’s global partner Knight Frank’s data center experts around the world, whom Morris has partnered with for nearly a quarter-century. Together they service all types of clients, including but not limited to landlords, tenants, sellers, and buyers.
